[Telia to appeal decision by Sweden's telecom agency, who earlier had rejected their bid based on technical feasibility.]

by Clare MacCarthy, Copenhagen -- "Telia, the Swedish telecommunications operator that was unsuccessful in the country's third-generation mobile phone licensing round, on Thursday claimed that its rejection was based on false assumptions.

"The company is the first leading national carrier not to have been awarded a 3G licence in its home country.

"It said on Thursday it was going to launch a formal appeal next month against the decision by the PTS, the state telecoms agency. This will be made during the first week of January.